Switching from PFL to SDI - How long until EDD processes my disability claim?

I went through something similar in January! The transition from PFL to SDI should be relatively smooth since you're already in their system, but unfortunately it's not instant. Mine took about 10-12 business days from when I mailed my paperwork until I saw the claim established in the system. Then another 3-4 days before my first payment was issued. \n\nMake sure you check your SDI Online account regularly (not UI Online - they're different systems). Your SDI claim won't show up in UI Online at all.

Thank you so much! I've been checking my UI Online account every day - I had no idea they were different systems! I'm going to check SDI Online right now. Do I use the same login info?

wait your supposed to mail it???? my doctor said they submited it electronically for me. now im worried

Both ways work! Doctors can submit electronically through SDI Online (which is faster), or you can mail the paper form. If your doctor submitted it electronically, you don't need to mail anything. You can check if they submitted it by logging into your SDI Online account.

I had the EXACT same situation last year and it was a NIGHTMARE!!! My doctor submitted the paperwork and I waited and waited and NOTHING happened for THREE WEEKS! I kept calling that stupid phone number and it would just disconnect me every single time. I lost track of how many times I tried calling. The rent was due and I was panicking!!!\n\nEDD is the WORST and they don't care at all about new mothers who are suffering. They make everything SO complicated and then don't even answer their phones!!!

Oh no, this is exactly what I'm afraid of! Did you ever get it resolved? My rent is due next week and I'm really starting to worry...

I finally got through after literally 47 calls one day. Turns out they needed additional info from my doctor that nobody told me about!!! They couldn't even bother to send me a letter or anything. Such incompetence!

my sister had a baby in december and she got pfl then disability. pretty sure it took like 2 weeks for her to get paid after she applied for disability. but her doctor did it online not mailed

If you need to actually speak with an EDD SDI representative (which I highly recommend in your situation), try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). It's a service that helps you get through to an actual EDD agent without spending hours redialing. \n\nI was in a similar situation transitioning from PFL to SDI earlier this year, and after 5 days of failed call attempts, I used Claimyr and got through to an agent in about 20 minutes. The agent told me my claim had a flag on it that needed manual review because I was transitioning from one benefit type to another. Once I got through, they resolved it right away.\n\nThey have a video demo that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd

Thank you for suggesting this! I'll definitely check it out if I don't see any updates in the next few days. Did you find it worked well? It's so frustrating that we have to use third party services just to talk to EDD.

Yes, it worked exactly as advertised. I was skeptical at first but was desperate after so many failed call attempts. The callback came exactly when they said it would. Definitely saved me hours of frustration and probably weeks of waiting for my claim to be processed.

Here's what you need to know about transitioning from PFL to SDI:\n\n1. Processing time: Currently in 2025, EDD is taking 10-14 calendar days to process new SDI claims, even for those transitioning from PFL.\n\n2. Account access: As others mentioned, SDI and UI Online are separate systems. You need to access your SDI Online account to check your disability claim status.\n\n3. Common delays: When transitioning between benefit types, the system sometimes flags the claim for manual review. This is because they verify you're not receiving overlapping benefits.\n\n4. Doctor certification: If your doctor mailed the certification, add 3-5 days for mail processing time. Electronic submissions are processed more quickly.\n\n5. Required action: Log into SDI Online and check if there are any messages requesting additional information. EDD may need additional documentation from you or your healthcare provider.\n\n6. Payment timing: Once approved, you'll receive payments for all eligible days (minus the 7-day waiting period if this is your first SDI claim of the benefit year). If this is a continuation claim within the same benefit year as a previous disability, there may not be a new waiting period.\n\n7. Payment method: Payments will come on the same EDD debit card you used for PFL, but may take 24-48 hours to show up after being issued.

This is incredibly helpful, thank you! I checked SDI Online and it shows my claim is

Yes, I would recommend asking your doctor to submit the certification electronically if possible. It's much faster than mail processing. However, if they already submitted by mail, having them submit electronically as well might cause confusion in the system. \n\nThe \

when I transitioned from PFL to SDI last year, it took about 3 weeks total. most of that time was waiting for the doctor's office to actually submit the paperwork! they told me they did but when I called to check they hadn't. might be worth calling your doctor to confirm they actually submitted everything properly.

That's a good idea. I'll call my doctor's office tomorrow to verify. I just assumed they did everything correctly but maybe I should double check.

my cousin did this and got her first payment after like 10 days but idk if thats normal or she got lucky lol. hope u get it fast tho with a new baby u need that $$$

Quick update to my earlier comment - I remembered something important. When transitioning from PFL to SDI, you might encounter a gap in payments even after approval because of how EDD processes claims. \n\nFrom a technical standpoint, PFL and SDI operate as separate programs even though they're both administered by EDD. That means your transition may not be as seamless as you'd hope. What usually happens is:\n\n1. Your PFL claim closes completely\n2. Your SDI claim is processed as a new claim\n3. There's often a processing gap between these two events\n\nIf you're using the same medical provider who certified your previous pregnancy-related disability (if you had one before PFL), make sure they reference the previous claim. This can sometimes help speed up the process.\n\nAnd definitely use SDI Online, not UI Online, to check your status.

Thank you for this additional info. I did have pregnancy disability before my PFL started, so this is technically my second disability claim related to the pregnancy. Does that mean I won't have another waiting period? The gap in payments is what I'm most worried about right now.

If this disability claim is for the same or related condition as your previous pregnancy disability claim, AND it's within 90 days of your previous disability claim ending, then it should be processed as a \

That's really good to know! My doctor did note it was related to pregnancy complications, but I'm not sure if she specifically linked it to my previous claim. I'm definitely going to try calling EDD tomorrow - if I can't get through, I might try that Claimyr service someone mentioned.